Marvin Borman

Marvin Borman, of Minneapolis., a life long advocate and believer in community service, died peacefully on September 15, 2012. His wife of 66 years, Elizabeth (Betty) Borman, was at his side. He was 89 years old.

Born in Indianapolis, Indiana on July 14, 1923, Marvin was the son of Sarah and Harry Borman. The family, including older siblings, Connie and Bill, who predeceased him, lived above their parents’ neighborhood dry goods store, where they worked mornings before school and on weekends. It was in this setting he learned the lessons of hard work, commitment, and collaboration that stayed with him for the rest of his life.

Marvin always beat the odds. A city boy, he hitched rides with friends to the outskirts of Indianapolis to take part in Boy Scouts, becoming an Eagle Scout at 13. He graduated from Shortridge High School at the age of 15, giving the valedictorian speech one week after the unexpected death of his father. He entered the University of Michigan as a 5’2” freshman, but that did not deter him from excelling in debate, becoming the President of his Jewish fraternity, Zeta Beta Tau, editing the Michigan Daily, or being tapped as a Michigamua, an honor he shared with other University of Michigan greats like President Gerald Ford and playwright Arthur Miller. It was also at Michigan where he met the love of his life, Betty Borman. He had grown to 5’ 10 by then.

Marvin enlisted in the Marine Corps immediately after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. He saw active duty as a Lieutenant in 1943, later promoted to Captain, and was part of the campaigns in Saipan, Tinian and Okinawa. Deeply patriotic, Marvin did not like to talk about the war, saying only that it was his duty and honor to defend his country.

Marvin came home from war and was accepted into Harvard Law School Class of 1949. After graduation, he and Betty came back to Minneapolis where Marvin found a job working for Sam Maslon, another Harvard educated lawyer, who had started work as a sole proprietor. In 1956, the small practice joined forces with a local litigation firm and created the partnership of Maslon Kaplan Edelman Joseph & Borman. Eventually the firm became Maslon Edelman Borman & Brand, one of the larger law firms in Minneapolis today.

Embracing his commitment to public service, Marvin was active in numerous organizations, including service as not only Chairman of the United Way Campaign in his early years, but also later as a Member of the Board and Executive Committee, President and Chairman of the Board of Mount Sinai Hospital, President of Temple Israel, Chairman of the Board and Life Trustee of the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, President and Chairman of the Board of the University of Minnesota Foundation, and Founder and Trustee of the Jeremiah Program.

Marvin also received many awards for his business and civic contributions. Scoutmaster of Philanthropy Award, United Way’s Distinguished Community Service Award, Minneapolis Rotary Club’s Service Above Self Award, and Temple Israel Distinguished Service Award are just a few.

Marvin’s family would like to give special thanks to the caring team of nurses made Dad’s last months bearable. And, of course, loving thanks to our dear friends Ed and Kerry LeMieux and Val Golden who have given tremendous support to Betty throughout this journey.

In addition to Betty, Marvin is survived by his three children, Jani Ross (Terry) of Mill Valley, CA, Tom Borman of Minneapolis, and Kim Borman (Steve Singer) of Lexington, MA, 5 grandchildren, Dana Rogers (Todd), Daniel Ross (Liz), Maggie Borman, Nicholas Singer and Matthew Singer and 3 great-grandchildren. The world has lost a great model of integrity, goodness and hope for a better world through public service. Hopefully, this tradition will be carried on by by the many people Marvin inspired during his lifetime.

Memorial Service, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 2012, 11 AM at TEMPLE ISRAEL, 2324 Emerson Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55405. There will be a celebration of Marvin’s life following at 6:30PM at Oak Ridge Country Club, 700 Oak Ridge Road, Hopkins, MN, 55305.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Temple Israel (address listed above) or online at www.templeisrael.com/donations or the University of Minnesota Foundation, C-M 3854, P.O. Box 70870, St. Paul, Minnesota, 55170 or online at www.giving.umn.edu.